Little Big

I know I’ll probably horrify some of the more glamorous readers (Melynda), but I’m just going to go ahead and admit that I like the concept of a daily uniform: a basic outline or formula that works most days and especially for times when you don’t want to think about what you want to wear.

My winter uniform goes something like this: two or three thin layers on top, a scarf, and some comfy, well-worn jeans. I’m also sporting my beat-up clogs that I wear on a strictly around the house basis only.

My pin, scarf, and sweater are all thrifted and my shirt is second hand by way of my mother.

Today’s outfit revolves around what I wore to Angela’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Birthday. It was such an ingenious idea, really, as we all love tea, cakes and dressing up, and I feel it’s absolutely necessary to specify that it’s a Mad Hatter-inspired tea party, lest people think that we are getting together for a radical right grassroots movement birthday party. I rarely ever, ever utter this sentence, but in this case I think it’s appropriate: it’s not that kind of party.

The whole party was a thrifty endeavor from day one: she thrifted packs of vintage playing cards for decorations, borrowed mismatched teacups and saucers for serving, and offered a menu of petite sandwiches and cookies to match pots of freshly boiled water and large selection of tea. My gift to her was four vintage teacups and saucers to add to her collection.

 I’m extremely proud of the fascinator I made out of fake flowers and feathers, but I wasn’t the only one who went the DIY route. My friend Valerie made her feathered, veiled hat as well as her daughter’s peacock headpiece. They both looked awesome. We found Anthony’s entire outfit at at thrift store–including that wicked tweed jacket that fit him perfectly.

I’ve had this dress for years and years. I bought it at a thrift store even before I became pregnant and the fabric is forgiving enough that my post-pregnancy body still rocks it. I wore it with complementary mustard yellow tights from Target and brown suede boots. I bought some cheapie lace gloves from a local store we call “Clothes Save”, which offers cheap prom and quicenera dresses. (Now that I’m done they’ve gone straight to the dress-up chest.) A deep forest green velvet blazer, and of course the fascinator, completed the look.

Today’s Thrifted Closet is the outfit I wore to Anthony’s family birthday party. As a bonus Isobel is making a special appearance in her thrifted outfit, too.

Our local Goodwill has a deal with Target and so often you can find brand new Target clearance items  while thrifting that still bear their original tags. Such was the case with this adorable brown and white polka-dot dress. The only other thrifted item here is the copper and turquoise cuff that fits my teeny wrists like a charm. I bought it at the Sales Yard for five dollars back in high school.

The tights and socks are from Target, and the boots are from Famous Footwear. When Isobel saw what I was doing she wanted me to take a photo of her party outfit, which is perfect because this pink Ralph Lauren number was also thrifted. I’m not huge on brand names but the dress is pinkpinkpink and given the choice Isobel would wear it every other day. She’s also sporting some (pink) thrifted tights and her kitty boots, which I totally let her wear to the party because I am an Awesome Mom. Please note: Pink Purse. She doesn’t go anywhere without her #1 fashion accessory.

This trench coat is also from Target. Though I’ve often found some sweet 1970s London Fog trench coats I can never buy them because they have a weird fit. Their sleeves are wide and dramatically short–like mid forearm short. Plus they have that weird pleat on the back that makes you look wider. It’s a shame because the quality and warmth of a London Fog trench outstrips anything I’ve seen in stores, but I’m not going to wear a coat with a wonky fit. Anybody know what I mean? Or is this just a problem that my long spaghetti arms and I have all to ourselves?

Right now I’m preparing to leave my husband and daughter and hit the road with my bestest friends in order to play a slot machine in the middle of a Nevada Raley’s while eating cookies. Don’t be jealous. I don’t even like to gamble (though I do like to eat cookies) but my dear friend Stefanie, whom we’re going to visit, told me that you have to in order to cross the state line. I’m not really sure how I’m going to manage eating cookies and gambling while also waving about the free gun I’m supposed to get at the border, but I’m ambidextrous so I’m sure I’ll figure it out. According to Stef, gambling in a supermarket is a right of passage for Nevadans, which makes me surprised I’ve never seen it featured on a Nevada state commemorative plate, especially since Texas made one with burnt down schoolhouses. Come to think of it, it’s probably hard to gamble, eat cookies, wave around a gun, and make a commemorative plate at the same time. You win this round, Nevada.

Today my friend Amanda is going to be filling in and schooling you all with her best tips for building a thrifted closet.

BUILDING A THRIFTED CLOSET

First of all, thanks to Carrie Anne for having me here! I’m honored to share my thoughts on creating a thrifted closet!

Why I Thrift

As a second-time grad student librarian with only one income (hey fellas!), money is tight to begin with. When I got my head straight about being fit last year and my body composition started changing rapidly as result, suddenly none of my clothes fit the same way anymore. It’s a welcome problem, to be sure, but with no money to spend on clothes to flatter my changing figure, it was time to frequent the thrift stores. It’s much kinder to my budget, and I won’t feel bad if the skirt I bought for a dollar doesn’t fit in a few months.

It’s also quite fashionable to dress in thrifted and vintage finds – and not just for hipsters! I’ve outfitted new drag queens with thrifted dresses, too. Oh, and normal people, like me and you.

Challenges

While building a thrifted closet can be incredibly rewarding, there are some challenges you should be aware of:

1 – Little Big’s Thrifting Pyramid? Just as applicable with clothes.

2 – You know how hard it is to find the perfect size with all the arbitrary sizing out there? Thrifting takes all the challenges of knowing you’re an 8 in one brand and a 12 in another and, conveniently, puts it all in one store for you. If anything looks like it even might fit, regardless of size, try it on. You are not a hanger, and nothing looks the same on you as it does on some rack. But…

3 – Not all thrift stores have fitting rooms. Fun, huh?

Tips

How do you combat all that to build the perfect ensemble?

1 – Be patient and keep your eyes open. Sort through everything, even if it takes awhile.

2 – Bring a friend! I can be successful on my own, but friends will spot things you didn’t and give you a second opinion, then you can return the favor! (Disclaimer: Maybe most girls already know this, but I’m an introvert who usually dislikes shopping and just generally not your average girl, so I always seem to forget it.)

3 – Wear a thin middle layer, like leggings and a tank top, to try on clothes at the stores without fitting rooms. Unless, of course, you like flashing total strangers and risking being arrested for indecent exposure . . .

4. Know the difference between vintage stores and thrift stores. Vintage stores, taking advantage of this vintage trend, are in it for the profit. You can find some great things, but they are generally sold at regular retail prices. Thrift stores are usually supporting a charity that’s happy to get whatever it can and prices are much easier on the wallet.

5. Launder everything before you wear it. You have no idea where that item has been before.

6. The smaller thrift stores have a better selection than the Salvation Army or Goodwill. There aren’t as many offerings on the whole, but they aren’t nearly as picked over.

7. Don’t buy underwear at a thrift store. Just . . .don’t.

Other Thrifty Closet Ideas

Hand-me-downs are not just for kids. Have a shirt you don’t love on you anymore that would look great on a friend? Pass it along. What goes around comes around!

Clothing Swap Soirees- Everyone has something they don’t want in their closet anymore. Get a bunch of friends, gather their used clothes, and then turn your living room into a thrifted boutique! If the clothes are collected in advance, the host(ess) can organize them, making swapping go more smoothly. After the party, whatever isn’t given a new home with a friend can be donated.

Most of all – have fun! Find some fabulous clothes and then rub it in your friend’s faces when they compliment you and you can say “Thanks! It was five dollars!”

“Really, you found that top for five dollars? What sale?”

“No, the whole outfit was five dollars, because I am the awesome.”

Because what fun is looking good if you can’t be smug about it?*

*That’s pretty much all I’ve learned from fashion magazines. Spend ridiculous amounts of money every season and be really smug.

Brown shirt – thrifted
White tank top – Shade Clothing
Denim skirt – Hand-me-down
Brown shoes – Clothing swap

Green dress – thrifted
Red shoes – Clearance sale
Necklace – Gift, handmade

Yellow dress – Thrifted
White tank top – Shade Clothing
Red espadrilles – Clearance sale
Necklace – vintage shop

Red sweater – Clothing swap
Khakis – JcPenney

Photography credits:
Emily Pilmer – pilmerportraits.com
Joseph Peterson – @planetJoseph

Here’s what’s up in the shop:

1. Moon Glow Bowl.
2. Handmade Collage Plaque.
3. Your Father’s Moustache Mug.
4. Bright Pink and Gold Mod Silk Cowl.
5. Pink Houndstooth Scarf.
6. Jewel-Tone Nautical Scarf.
7. Harvest Gold Paisley Scarf.
8. Sunshine Daisy Mugs.
9. Houseplant Needlepoint.

While working on Life List item #11, I decided I’m going to share some of my thrifty outfits with you. This outfit features three recent thrift store scores: the sweater, the belt, and (my favorite) the skirt. Made any good clothing scores lately?